Chapter 7
(Emma's perspective)
I'm not going to let it bother me."

Emma walked silently down the hall. Each step she kept thinking…why did I do this to myself? I kept putting myself in the position to be hurt. I got too close to him… way too fast. It wasn't supposed to turn out like that. I wasn't supposed to be the one hurt.

Emma strained to hold back the tears. She wasn't about to cry over him. Not right now. She would save her tears for someone else. Craig just wasn't worth it.

The bell rang and the hall was flooded immediately as students went to their lockers and talked for a few minutes before going back to another class. Emma needed to get her science book out of her locker.

Emma's locker was right across from the girls washroom. It was in one of the best spots. Manny's locker was right beside hers. Manny seemed to be struggling to get a book out.

Emma held the books that were on top of the one Manny was fighting to get out. "Thought I would help." Emma said forcing a friendly smile.

Manny didn't look very happy for the extra help. She actually had a kind of angered look on her face.

"You always hated the fact that he liked me and not you. I saw you were watching him." Manny said closing her locker loudly.

It took Emma a moment to realize what Manny was talking about. Manny was talking about the time that Craig asked Manny to dance and not her. That had really hurt Emma then… but that was a long time ago. She remembered that night now, more vividly than ever. She really wanted Craig to like her. That was her whole reason for wanting to crash the grade 8 dance.

When Craig asked Manny to dance… Emma's heart sank.

"If you're talking about Craig… you're crazy. There is nothing going on between us." Emma said in a really snappy manner.

Manny's lips seemed to twitch. She looked like she had just tasted something sour or maybe she was trying to not say anything.

"Fine Em. Do what you want. I don't want to help you pick up the pieces when he breaks your heart." Manny's usual dimple smiling face was now frowning. "I have to get to class."

Emma finally opened her locker. The late bell rang but she didn't really care. She just wanted to finish the day and get home. The whole day felt like one big nightmare.

She hoped that in a few minutes she would wake up and it would have all been a dream. Then Craig and her could sit up late gazing up at the stars….like they use to. Everything would be perfect again. She would be Craig's secret lady. They could share the night with one another again.

Emma reluctantly went to science. She was late and the teacher had already started on her lesson. Emma slumped down in her seat. She didn't listen to any of the lesson.

Emma didn't feel like herself. She asked if she could go to the washroom. The teacher let her go. (After telling her she should go before class.) Emma went inside the washroom. She sat her pass down on the sink. Then she looked in the mirror and splashed some cold water on her face. After a few minutes of this she decided she should go back to class. On her way out she bumped into Ellie.

"Sorry I was… oh." Emma stopped mid sentence. "I was just getting back to class."

Ellie didn't say anything she walked off. Like Emma didn't exist. Emma looked at her watch. Still another hour of school left. On the bright side…nothing else could go wrong in a hour. Right?

Emma was doodling on her paper when the bell rang. It seemed like it would never come. She didn't feel like facing Manny at her locker again. So she headed straight out the doors. That was a mistake. Right outside was Craig… he looked like he had been waiting for her. She felt cornered.